U.S. patent number 6,883,423 [Application Number 10/066,303] was granted by the patent office on 2005-04-26 for assembly and method for customized application of index tabs to indexing material.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Avery Dennison Corporation. Invention is credited to Jay K. Sato, Norman Yamamoto.
United States Patent |
6,883,423 |
Yamamoto , et al. |
April 26, 2005 |
Assembly and method for customized application of index tabs to
indexing material
Abstract
A customized application of index tabs to dividers and other
types of indexing material includes a releasably attachable
alignment tool. The alignment tool includes a plurality of indicia
printed thereon for guiding the placement of a desired number of
index tabs. The indicia indicate by positioning of both numerals
and lines where an index tab is to be placed on an indexing
material, depending on the number of index tabs that are to be
placed. The alignment tool may also be positioned on a sheet and
removable from the sheet to align index tabs on different
documents. Multiple alignment tools may also be positioned on a
sheet and removable to align index tabs on documents of different
sizes.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto; Norman (Yorba Linda,
CA), Sato; Jay K. (Aliso Viejo, CA) |
Assignee: |
Avery Dennison Corporation
(Pasadena, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
27370947 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/066,303 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
101/35; 283/36;
283/37; 283/41; 40/641 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F
21/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B42F
21/00 (20060101); B42F 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;101/35 ;40/641
;283/36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Colilla; Daniel J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey,
LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The contents of this application are related to and claim the
filing date benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/308,209,
filed on Jul. 27, 2001, and provisional application having Ser. No.
60/277,141, filed on Mar. 19, 2001. The contents of these related
provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
We claim:
1. An index tab alignment system, comprising: a set of releasably
attachable index tab alignment tools; a set of indexing documents
including a first indexing document and at least one additional
indexing document, each document having a releasably attachable
index tab alignment tool from the set of releasably attachable
alignment tools releasably attached thereto at a distance from an
edge of each document; a set of index tabs having at least one
index tab for application to the set of indexing documents, each
releasably attachable index tab alignment tool in the set of
releasably attachable alignment tools having indicia thereon for
guiding the placement of said at least one index tab; and a package
holding the set of indexing documents, the set of index tabs, and
the set of releasably attachable index tab alignment tools.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of releasably attachable
alignment tools are stacked on top of each other within said
package.
3. An assembly for affixation of index tabs to documents, said
assembly comprising: at least one alignment tool formed on a sheet,
the at least one alignment tool being removable from the sheet to
be releasably attachable to a document, wherein the at least one
alignment tool is removable from the sheet along separation
indicators; and indicia on the at least one alignment tool
identifying index tab alignment positions.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one alignment tool
is one of a plurality of alignment tools positioned on the
sheet.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the indicia includes a
plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines
dimensioned to align the placement of the desired number of index
tabs with an edge of the document.
6. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the document is one of a set of
indexing documents.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the plurality of alignment
tools includes a first alignment tool and a second alignment tool,
the indicia on each of the first and second alignment tools
configured for identifying index tab alignment positions on
documents of different dimensions.
8. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the indicia includes a
numbering system, the numbering system sequentially positioned on
the alignment tools for application of a desired number of index
tabs.
9. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising a set of
instructions positioned on the sheet.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the instructions are printed
on the sheet.
11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of alignment
tools each include a foldable top portion at an upper end of the
alignment tool, the foldable top portion for folding over the
document at a top edge of the document to releasably attach the
alignment tool to the document.
12. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one alignment
tool is releasably attachable to the document to align an index tab
along an edge of the document, the tool being positioned on the
document at a distance from the edge to allow placement of an index
tab between the alignment tool and the edge.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the document is a
divider.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the divider is capable of
passing through a printer for printing directly on the divider.
15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the document is an index
card.
16. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of
index tabs, and the plurality of alignment tools being positionable
on the set of documents to apply the plurality of index tabs to the
set of documents.
17. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising a package
configured to hold the at least one alignment tool positioned on
the sheet, a plurality of index tabs, and a set of indexing
documents on which the plurality of index tabs will be placed using
the plurality of alignment tools.
18. A packaging assembly comprising: a set of indexing documents;
at least one alignment tool positioned on a sheet, the at least one
alignment tool removable from the sheet along separation lines and
releasably positionable on the set of indexing documents; and; a
set of index tabs for application to the set of indexing documents,
the at least one alignment tool having indicia thereon for guiding
the placement of at least one index tab in the set of index tabs;
and a package holding the set of indexing documents, the set of
index tabs, and the sheet having the at least one alignment tool
positioned thereon.
19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one alignment
tool is one of a set of alignment tools positioned on the
sheet.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the indicia includes a
numbering system, the numbering system sequentially positioned on
each alignment tool in the set of alignment tools for application
of a desired number of index tabs in the set of index tabs.
21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the indicia includes a
plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines
dimensioned to align the placement of the desired number of index
tabs with an edge of a document.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the set of alignment tools
includes a first alignment tool and a second alignment tool, the
indicia on each of the first and second alignment tools configured
for the placement of index tabs on documents of different
dimensions in the set of documents.
23. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a set of
instructions positioned on the sheet.
24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the set of instructions is
printed on the sheet.
25. The assembly of claim 18, wherein each alignment tool in the
set of alignment tools includes a foldable top portion at an upper
end of the alignment tool, the foldable top portion for folding
over a document in the set of indexing documents at a top edge of
the document to releasably attach the alignment tool to the
document.
26. The assembly of claim 18, wherein each alignment tool in the
set of alignment tools is releasably attachable to an indexing
document in the set of documents to align index tabs along edges of
the indexing document, wherein the alignment tools are positioned
on the indexing document at a distance from the edges to allow
placement of index tabs between the alignment tool and the
edge.
27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the set of documents includes
dividers.
28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the dividers are capable of
passing through a printer for printing directly on the
dividers.
29. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the set of documents includes
index cards.
30. The assembly of claim 18, wherein each index tab in the set of
index tabs includes a tab portion and a pocket attached to a lower
edge of the tab portion, the pocket including a top edge, a hinge
portion and a pocket extension portion, wherein the pocket receives
and is attached to an indexing document in the set of indexing
documents, a top edge of the indexing document aligned with the top
edge of the pocket, and wherein said hinge portion and said pocket
extension portion are operatively connected by said top edge.
31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said pocket further comprises
a first layer of adhesive on an inner surface of the pocket
extension portion and a second layer of adhesive on an inner
surface of the hinge portion, the second layer of adhesive
protected by a releasable backing, the releasable backing extending
downward below each index tab to facilitate removal.
32. The assembly of claim 31, wherein the releasable backing is
folded to form an easily grippable tab.
33. The assembly of claim 18, wherein each index tab in the set of
index tabs includes a tab portion having a first side and a second
side, a hinge, and a tab extension, the hinge and the tab extension
being separated from the tab portion by a stopper, the stopper
formed along a lower edge of said tab portion.
34. The assembly of claim 33, wherein the stopper comprises a heat
fuse, said heat fuse connecting inner surfaces of said first side
and said second side of said tab portion, a first adhesive layer on
an inside surface of said tab extension, and a releasable backing
applied to said first adhesive layer, the releasable backing
extending downward below said index tab to facilitate removal.
35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the releasable backing is
folded to form an easily grippable tab.
36. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the set of index tabs is
disposed on an index tab-bearing sheet capable of being passed
through a printer or copier, the index tab-bearing sheet having a
plurality of tab areas defined thereon, each of said tab areas
comprising: a first layer of tab material; a second layer of
adhesive applied to a lower portion of said first layer of tab
material; a third layer of pocket material applied to said second
layer of adhesive and having a pocket pre-fold aligned with an
upper edge of said second layer of adhesive; a lower fourth layer
of adhesive applied to said third layer of pocket material below
said pocket pre-fold line; an upper fourth layer of adhesive
applied to an upper edge portion of said third layer of pocket
material; and a releasable backing sheet applied to said fourth
layer of adhesive; whereby the index tab-bearing sheet can be
passed through a printer or copier for a printing operation on the
tab areas.
37. A method of applying index tabs to documents, comprising:
providing a plurality of alignment tools on a sheet, a plurality of
indicia printed on each of the alignment tools, a plurality of
index tabs, and a set of indexing documents; separating at least
one of the plurality of alignment tools from the sheet; positioning
the at least one removed alignment tool from the sheet on a
document in the set of indexing documents; aligning at least one of
the plurality of index tabs along an edge of the document, the
plurality of indicia guiding the placement of the at least one
index tab on the document; and removing the at least one alignment
tool from the document.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing separation
indicators on the sheet, the plurality of alignment tools being
removable from sheet along the separation lines and releasably
positionable on documents in the set of indexing documents.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the indicia includes a
numbering system, the numbering system sequentially positioned on
the alignment tools for application of a desired number of index
tabs.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the indicia includes a
plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines
dimensioned to align the placement of the desired number of index
tabs with an edge of a document.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the plurality of alignment
tools includes a first alignment tool and a second alignment tool,
the indicia on each of first and second alignment tools configured
for identifying index tab alignment positions on documents of
different dimensions.
42. The method of claim 37, further comprising a set of
instructions positioned on the sheet.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the set of instructions is
printed on the sheet.
44. The method of claim 37, wherein the plurality of alignment
tools each include a foldable top portion at an upper end of the
alignment tool, the foldable top portion for folding over a
document at a top edge of the document to releasably attach the
alignment tool to the document.
45. The method of claim 37, wherein the set of indexing documents
includes dividers.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the dividers are capable of
passing through a printer for printing directly on the
dividers.
47. The method of claim 37, wherein the set of documents includes
index cards.
48. The method of claim 37, further comprising packaging the
plurality of alignment tools, the plurality of index tabs, and the
set of indexing documents in a package.
49. A method of applying index tabs to indexing material,
comprising: providing an indexing document, a releasably attachable
alignment tool attached to said indexing document, and an index
tab; aligning the index tab along an edge of said indexing
document, the tool including a plurality of indicia printed thereon
for guiding the placement of the index tab; and removing the
releasably attachable alignment tool from the indexing
document.
50. The method of claim 49, further comprising applying at least
one additional releasably attachable alignment tool to at least one
additional indexing document.
51. The method of claim 50, further comprising removing the at
least one additional releasably attachable alignment tool from the
at least one additional indexing document.
52. The method of claim 50, further comprising aligning at least
one additional index tab along an edge of the at least one
additional indexing document, the plurality of indicia guiding the
placement of the at least one additional index tab on the at least
one additional indexing document.
53. The method of claim 52, further comprising packaging the
indexing document and at least one additional indexing document,
the index tab and at least one additional index tab, and the
releasably attachable alignment tool and at least one additional
releasably attachable index tab alignment tool in a package.
54. The method of claim 50, wherein each of said releasably
attachable alignment tools and at least one additional releasably
attachable alignment tool are positioned on an indexing document to
align at least one additional index tab along an edge of the
indexing document, each tool being positioned on the indexing
document at a distance from said edge to allow placement of an
index tab between said tool and said edge.
55. The method of claim 50, wherein the indexing document and the
at least one additional indexing document comprise a set of
dividers.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the indexing document and the
at least one additional indexing document comprise a set of index
cards.
57. The method of claim 50, further comprising color coding each of
said releasably attachable alignment tool and at least one
additional releasably attachable alignment tool, each tool being
color coded to correspond to a different placement for a desired
number of index tabs.
58. The method of claim 49, further comprising printing said
plurality of indicia on said releasably attachable alignment tool
using a printer.
59. The method of claim 49, further comprising providing a device
having an opening on at least one side, said alignment tool being
releasably attached to a side of said device.
60. The method of claim 49, providing a device having an opening on
at least one side, said releasably attachable alignment tool
including a top portion folded at an upper end of the releasably
attachable alignment tool, said top portion being folded over said
device at a top edge of said device to releasably attach the
releasably attachable alignment tool to the device.
61. The method of claim 49, further comprising providing a sheet
having a plurality of releasably alignment tools positioned
thereon, said plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools
being printable on said sheet by a printer.
62. The method of claim 49, further comprising providing a sheet
having a plurality of releasably alignment tools positioned
thereon, said plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools
being surrounded by a plurality of weakened lines for punching said
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools out from said
sheet.
63. The method of claim 49, wherein said tool includes a top
portion folded at an upper end of the tool, said top portion being
folded over said document at a top edge of said document to
releasably attach the tool to the document.
64. The method of claim 49, further comprising downloading a
computer program from a network, the program being configured to
print said indicia on said releasably attachable alignment
tool.
65. A method of affixation of index tabs to documents, said method
comprising: providing a releasably attachable alignment tool having
indicia thereon identifying multiple index tab alignment positions,
the alignment tool being releasably attachable to a first indexing
document; applying a first index tab to the first indexing
document, the alignment tool guiding the placement of said index
tab along said edge of said first indexing document; and removing
the releasably attachable alignment tool from said first
document.
66. The method of claim 65, further comprising removing a backing
material from said releasably attachable alignment tool and
applying said tool to said indexing document.
67. The method of claim 65, further comprising applying a plurality
of releasably attachable alignment tools to a plurality of indexing
documents, the indexing documents being a set of dividers, each
tool being releasably attachable to one divider.
68. The method of claim 65, further comprising applying a plurality
of releasably attachable alignment tools to a plurality of indexing
documents, the indexing documents being a set of index cards, each
tool being releasably attachable to one of the index cards of the
set.
69. The method of claim 65, further comprising aligning a plurality
of index tabs along edges of the plurality of indexing documents,
each indexing document having at least one index tab aligned along
an edge, the plurality of indicia guiding the placement of the
index tabs on the indexing documents.
70. The method of claim 69, further comprising packaging the
plurality of indexing documents, the plurality of index tabs, and
the plurality of releasably attachable index tab alignment tools in
a package.
71. The method of claim 69, wherein the releasably attachable
alignment tool is releasably attachable to each indexing document
along an edge of each indexing document, each tool being positioned
on each indexing document at a distance from said edge to allow
placement of an index tab between said tool and said edge.
72. The method of claim 71, further comprising color coding each of
said releasably attachable alignment tools, each tool being color
coded to correspond to a different placement for a desired number
of index tabs.
73. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a
plurality of index tabs each including a tab portion and a pocket
attached to a lower edge of the tab portion, the pocket including a
top edge, a hinge portion and a pocket extension portion, wherein
the pocket receives and is attached to an indexing document, a top
edge of the indexing document aligned with the top edge of the
pocket, and wherein said hinge portion and said pocket extension
portion are operatively connected by said top edge.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein said pocket further comprises a
first layer of adhesive on an inner surface of the pocket extension
portion and a second layer of adhesive on an inner surface of the
hinge portion, the second layer of adhesive protected by a
releasable backing, the releasable backing extending downward below
each index tab to facilitate removal.
75. The method of claim 74, wherein the releasable backing is
folded to form an easily grippable tab.
76. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a
plurality of index tabs each including a tab portion having a first
side and a second side, a hinge, and a tab extension, the hinge and
the tab extension being separated from the tab portion by a
stopper, the stopper formed along a lower edge of said tab
portion.
77. The method of claim 76, wherein the stopper comprises a heat
fuse, said heat fuse connecting inner surfaces of said first side
and said second side of said tab portion, a first adhesive layer on
an inside surface of said tab extension, and a releasable backing
applied to said first adhesive layer, the releasable backing
extending downward below said index tab to facilitate removal.
78. The method of claim 77, wherein said releasable backing is
folded to form an easily grippable tab.
79. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a
plurality of index tabs positioned on an index tab-bearing sheet
capable of being passed through a printer or copier, the index
tab-bearing sheet having a plurality of tab areas defined thereon,
each of said tab areas comprising: a first layer of tab material; a
second layer of adhesive applied to a lower portion of said first
layer of tab material; a third layer of pocket material applied to
said second layer of adhesive and having a pocket pre-fold aligned
with an upper edge of said second layer of adhesive; a lower fourth
layer of adhesive applied to said third layer of pocket material
below said pocket pre-fold line; an upper fourth layer of adhesive
applied to an upper edge portion of said third layer of pocket
material; and a releasable backing sheet applied to said fourth
layer of adhesive, whereby said index tab-bearing sheet can be
passed through a printer or copier for a printing operation on the
tab areas.
80. The method of claim 65, further comprising printing said
plurality of indicia on said releasably attachable alignment tool
using a printer.
81. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a device
having an opening on at least one side, said alignment tool being
releasably attached to a side of said device.
82. The method of claim 65, providing a device having an opening on
at least one side, said releasably attachable alignment tool
including a top portion folded at an upper end of the releasably
attachable alignment tool, said top portion being folded over said
device at a top edge of said device to releasably attach the
releasably attachable alignment tool to the device.
83. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a sheet
having a plurality of releasably alignment tools positioned
thereon, said plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools
being printable on said sheet by a printer.
84. The method of claim 65, further comprising providing a sheet
having a plurality of releasably alignment tools positioned
thereon, said plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools
being surrounded by a plurality of weakened lines for punching said
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools out from said
sheet.
85. The method of claim 65, wherein said tool includes a top
portion folded at an upper end of the tool, said top portion being
folded over said document at a top edge of said document to
releasably attach the tool to the document.
86. The method of claim 65, further comprising downloading a
computer program from a network, the program being configured to
print said indicia on said releasably attachable alignment
tool.
87. An assembly for precise affixation of index tabs to documents,
said assembly comprising: a releasably attachable alignment tool;
indicia on said tool identifying multiple index tab alignment
positions; a plurality of index tabs and a plurality of releasably
attachable alignment tools, the plurality of tools being applied to
a set of dividers to apply said plurality of index tabs to said set
of dividers; and a package configured to hold the plurality of
index tabs and the set of dividers, each divider having an
alignment tool releasably attached thereto.
88. An assembly for precise affixation of index tabs to documents,
said assembly comprising: a releasably attachable alignment tool;
indicia on said tool identifying multiple index tab alignment
positions; wherein said plurality of indicia is printed on said
releasably attachable alignment tool using a printer; wherein a
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools are positioned
on a sheet, said plurality of indicia being printed on each tool on
said sheet using said printer as desired by a user; and wherein
said plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools are
surrounded by a plurality of weakened lines for punching said
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools out from said
sheet.
89. An assembly for precise affixation of index tabs to documents,
said assembly comprising: a releasably attachable alignment tool;
indicia on said tool identifying multiple index tab alignment
positions; a plurality of index tabs each including a tab portion
and a pocket attached to a lower edge of the tab portion, the
pocket including a top edge, a hinge portion and a pocket extension
portion, wherein the pocket receives and is attached to a document,
a top edge of the document aligned with the top edge of the pocket,
and wherein said hinge portion and said pocket extension portion
are operatively connected by said top edge; and wherein said pocket
further comprises a first layer of adhesive on an inner surface of
the pocket extension portion and a second layer of adhesive on an
inner surface of the hinge portion, the second layer of adhesive
protected by a releasable backing, the releasable backing extending
downward below each index tab to facilitate removal.
90. The assembly of claim 89, wherein the releasable backing is
folded to form an easily grippable tab.
91. An assembly for precise affixation of index tabs to documents,
said assembly comprising: a releasably attachable alignment tool;
indicia on said tool identifying multiple index tab alignment
positions; a plurality of index tabs each including a tab portion
having a first side and a second side, a hinge, and a tab
extension, the hinge and the tab extension being separated from the
tab portion by a stopper, the stopper formed along a lower edge of
said tab portion; wherein the stopper comprises a heat fuse, said
heat fuse connecting inner surfaces of said first side and said
second side of said tab portion, a first adhesive layer on an
inside surface of said tab extension, and a releasable backing
applied to said first adhesive layer, the releasable backing
extending downward below said index tab to facilitate removal; and
wherein said releasable backing is folded to form an easily
grippable tab.
92. An assembly for precise affixation of index tabs to documents,
said assembly comprising: a releasably attachable alignment tool;
indicia on said tool identifying multiple index tab alignment
positions; and a plurality of index tabs positioned on an index
tab-bearing sheet capable of being passed through a printer or
copier, the index tab-bearing sheet having a plurality of tab areas
defined thereon, each of said tab areas comprising: a first layer
of tab material; a second layer of adhesive applied to a lower
portion of said first layer of tab material; a third layer of
pocket material applied to said second layer of adhesive and having
a pocket pre-fold aligned with an upper edge of said second layer
of adhesive; a lower fourth layer of adhesive applied to said third
layer of pocket material below said pocket pre-fold line; an upper
fourth layer of adhesive applied to an upper edge portion of said
third layer of pocket material; a releasable backing sheet applied
to said fourth layer of adhesive; and whereby the index tab-bearing
sheet can be passed through a printer or copier for a printing
operation on the tab areas.
93. A customizable indexing system, comprising: at least one
releasably attachable alignment tool; a plurality of indicia
disposed on said at least one alignment tool; an indexing material,
the at least one alignment tool being releasably attachable to said
indexing material; wherein the plurality of indicia is printed on
the releasably attachable alignment tool using a printer; wherein a
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools are positioned
on a sheet, the plurality of indicia being printed on each tool on
the sheet using the printer as desired by a user; and wherein the
plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools are surrounded
by a plurality of weakened lines for punching the plurality of
releasably attachable alignment tools out from the sheet.
94. An index tab affixation assembly, comprising: a sheet having a
plurality of index divider alignment tools positioned thereon and
removable therefrom, each of said tools having thereon indicia
means for identifying different index tab affixation positions at
different positions along edges of documents when said tools are
positioned on the documents, wherein said sheet includes weakened
separation lines defining at least portions of perimeters of said
tools.
95. The assembly of claim 94, wherein said indicia means includes
indicia printed on said tools.
96. An index tab affixation assembly, comprising: a sheet having a
plurality of index divider alignment tools positioned thereon and
removable therefrom, each of said tools having thereon indicia
means for identifying different index tab affixation positions at
different positions along edges of documents when said tools are
positioned on the documents, wherein said indicia means includes a
first set of indicia on one of said tools denoting a first set of
spaced index tab affixation positions for a first set of indexing
documents and a second set of indicia on the one of said tools
denoting a second set of spaced index tab affixation positions,
different than said first set of spaced index tab affixation
positions, for a second set of indexing documents having a
different number of documents than said first set.
97. The assembly of claim 96, wherein the first set of indicia
includes a plurality of first symbols and the second set of indicia
includes a plurality of second symbols different than the first
symbols.
98. The assembly of claim 96, wherein the first set of indicia
includes a plurality of lines of a first length and the second set
of indicia includes a plurality of lines of a different second
length and parallel to the plurality of lines of the first
length.
99. The assembly of claim 96, wherein the first set of indicia
includes a first color and the second set of indicia includes a
different second color.
100. An index tab alignment assembly, comprising: an indexing sheet
having a first side and an opposite second side and a first edge
and an opposite second edge; and indicia means on the second side
adjacent the second edge for identifying different index tab
affixation positions at different positions along the first edge
when the second edge is positioned on the first side adjacent to
the first edge.
101. An index tab alignment assembly, comprising: an alignment
tool; positioning means for releasably positioning said tool on
each document of a set of indexing documents; indicia means on said
tool for identifying different index tab affixation positions at
different positions along edges of each of the documents of said
set when said tool is positioned thereon by said positioning means;
wherein said set of indexing documents defines a first set of
indexing documents, and said positioning means releasably positions
said tool on each document of a second set of indexing documents
having a different number of documents than said first set of
documents, and said indicia means includes a first set of indicia
on said tool denoting a first set of spaced index tab affixation
positions for said first set of documents and a different second
set of indicia on said tool denoting a different second set of
spaced index tab affixation positions for said second set of
documents; wherein said first set of indicia includes a plurality
of first symbols and said second set of indicia includes a
plurality of second symbols different than said first symbols; and
wherein said first symbols are the number of documents in said
first set of documents and said second symbols are the number of
documents in said second set.
102. An index tab alignment assembly, comprising: an alignment
tool; positioning means for releasably positioning said tool on
each document of a set of indexing documents; indicia means on said
tool for identifying different index tab affixation positions at
different positions along edges of each of the documents of said
set when said tool is positioned thereon by said positioning means;
wherein said set of indexing documents defines a first set of
indexing documents, and said positioning means releasably positions
said tool on each document of a second set of indexing documents
having a different number of documents than said first set of
documents, and said indicia means includes a first set of indicia
on said tool denoting a first set of spaced index tab affixation
positions for said first set of documents and a different second
set of indicia on said tool denoting a different second set of
spaced index tab affixation positions for said second set of
documents; and wherein said first set of indicia include a first
color and said second set of indicia include a second color.
103. An index tab alignment assembly, comprising: an alignment
tool; indicia means on said tool for identifying different index
tab affixation positions at different positions along edges of each
of the documents of a first set of indexing documents when said
tool is positioned thereon and for identifying different index tab
affixation positions at different positions along edges of the
documents of a second set of indexing documents when said tool is
positioned thereon, said indicia means includes a first set of
indicia on said tool denoting a first set of spaced index tab
affixation positions for said first set of documents and a
different second set of indicia on said tool denoting a different
second set of spaced index tab affixation positions for said second
set of documents; wherein said first set of indicia includes a
plurality of first symbols and said second set of indicia includes
a plurality of second symbols different than said first symbols;
and wherein said first symbols are the number of documents in said
first set of documents and said second symbols are the number of
documents in said second set.
104. An index tab alignment assembly, comprising: an alignment
tool; indicia means on said tool for identifying different index
tab affixation positions at different positions along edges of each
of the documents of a first set of indexing documents when said
tool is positioned thereon and for identifying different index tab
affixation positions at different positions along edges of the
documents of a second set of indexing documents when said tool is
positioned thereon, said indicia means includes a first set of
indicia on said tool denoting a first set of spaced index tab
affixation positions for said first set of documents and a
different second set of indicia on said tool denoting a different
second set of spaced index tab affixation positions for said second
set of documents; and wherein said first set of indicia includes a
first color and said second set of indicia includes a different
second color.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the application of index tabs.
Specifically, the invention provides an assembly and method of
customizing the application of index tabs to dividers and other
kinds of indexing documents.
2. General Background and State of the Art
Many examples of the application of index tabs to dividers and
other types of indexing material are known. U.S. Pat. No.
3,590,511, for example, discloses an indexing system for attachment
to filing folders, index cards, planning boards or other similar
filing/organizing systems. The patent includes an elongated,
rectangular strip having an adhesive portion for attaching the
strip to an edge of a folder, index card or board. The indexing
system also includes index tabs with ends which are bent towards
each other so that the tabs are slidably retained on the strip. The
tabs are therefore movable along the strip so that they can be
positioned by a user.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,080, discloses a system for
accurately positioning index tabs along the free side of a page
with respect to the top and bottom and with respect to each other
on additional pages. The system has a strip and a set of index
tabs. The strip having the index tabs is applied to the page onto
which the index tabs are to appear, in the same position with
respect to the top and bottom as is desired for the index tabs to
appear on other pages. The top and bottom of the strip are folded
over the top and bottom of the page, respectively. An index tab is
then removed from the strip, and using the next index tab as a
guide, is affixed to one face of the page. The index tab is then
folded in half to complete the placement of the index tab, with one
half affixed to one face of the page and the other half affixed to
the opposing face.
Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,487, discloses a system of
placing index tabs in which a separator page is provided having a
series of slots positioned on one edge. The system includes index
tabs which have a top part and a bottom part, the top part
including a receptacle for a label, and the bottom part including a
pair of ears for placement into the slots. An index tab is placed
on the separator sheet by inserting the ears into the slots,
thereby providing a secure method of holding an index tab in place.
Index tabs can therefore be placed in slots in different positions
on multiple separator pages along the edge of each separator page
as desired by the user.
In one variation of the '487 patent, a marginal strip is placed
over an edge of the separator page. The marginal strip includes at
least one layer of adhesive that is used to apply the strip to the
edge of the separator page. The marginal strip includes a plurality
of slots placed in parallel relation to each other. In another
variation, the marginal strip also has a plurality of slots, as
well as curved edges which are used to slide the marginal strip
over the edge of the separator page. In both variations, index tabs
are applied to the separator pages by inserting the ears into the
slots and positioning the index tabs as desired on the separator
pages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The patents discussed above do not disclose an assembly and system
for customized placement of index tabs on indexing material in
which printed indicia on a removable tool are used to align index
tabs and guide the adherence of those tabs to indexing material.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
customized assembly and method of applying index tabs. It is
another object of the invention to provide a releasably attachable
alignment tool that is capable of being removed from an indexing
material when no longer needed. It is a further object of the
invention to provide a guide for the placement of a desired number
of index tabs on an indexing material, which may include a set of
documents such as dividers or index cards. It is yet another object
of the present invention to provide printed indicia to guide the
placement of index tabs on the indexing material.
The present invention provides an assembly and method for the
customized application of index tabs. The invention includes an
indexing material or indexing document(s), which may be in the form
of a divider or a set of dividers, an index card or a set of index
cards, or any other indexing material to which index tabs may be
applied. Each divider or index card includes a removably attachable
alignment tool. Each tool includes indicia for identifying the
placement of index tabs. The indicia may be in the form of
horizontal and/or vertical lines and numbers (or other symbols)
indicating placement positions for the index tabs. Using the
present invention, therefore, users can customize the application
of a desired number of index tabs provided with a set of
dividers.
The present invention also provides a method of applying index tabs
to the indexing material, in which an index tab is aligned along an
edge of an indexing material according to indicia provided on the
releasably attachable alignment tool. The releasably attachable
alignment tool may be removed from the indexing material, which may
include a divider, index card or any other type of document to
which index tabs may be applied. Additional index tabs may also be
applied to additional indexing material that comprises the set of
dividers or index cards or other documents, with the releasably
attachable alignment tool being removed from each indexing material
once an index tab has been placed thereon.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to
which the present invention pertains from the foregoing description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set of dividers each having at
least one index tab and an alignment tool of the present invention
attached thereto;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a divider having at least one index
tab and an alignment tool of the present invention removably
attached thereto;
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a removably attachable alignment tool
of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a package having a set of
index tabs and a set of dividers and a releasably attachable
alignment tool of the present invention on each divider;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package including only a set of
releasably attachable alignment tools of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a releasably attachable alignment
tool having a backing material shown being applied to a sheet;
FIG. 7 is a front view of a releasably attachable alignment tool
applied to an index card, where the tool is the same size as that
applied to a divider with the ends adapted to be folded over the
index card to fit the tool on the card;
FIG. 8 is an additional front view of the releasably attachable
alignment tool applied to an index card, in which the tool is sized
to fit the length of the index card;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an indexing material in which the divider
includes indicia printed directly thereon along the binding edge
thereof;
FIG. 10 is a view of the divider of FIG. 9 being rolled over such
that the back side with the indicia printed thereon is even with
the edge of a front side to which index tabs will be placed;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a printer (or copier) having a
releasably attachable alignment tool exiting the printer with
indicia printed thereon;
FIG. 12 is a view of sheet having a plurality of alignment tools
positioned thereon;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a printer (or copier) having a
sheet with a plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools
exiting the printer with indicia printed on the tools;
FIG. 14 is a view of a sheet having a plurality of alignment tools
positioned thereon, with one tool being removed from said
sheet;
FIG. 15 is a view of sheet having a plurality of alignment tools
positioned thereon, with the plurality of tools being of different
sizes;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a printer (or copier) having a
sheet with a plurality of releasably attachable alignment tools of
varying size exiting the printer with indicia printed on the
tools;
FIG. 17 is a view of an indexing material and a releasably
attachable alignment tool having a top portion folder over a top
edge of the indexing material;
FIG. 18 is a view of the alignment tool of FIG. 17 having a
weakened line at which the top portion folds over;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a flapped device having an
alignment tool positioned thereon and indexing material being
inserted into said flapped device;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a flapped device having an
alignment tool positioned thereon, the flapped device having a rear
portion for placing over the top of an indexing material;
FIG. 21 is a view of a printer (or copier) having a sheet exiting
the printer with indicia printed on the sheet;
FIG. 22 is a view of a sheet having indicia printed thereon being
placed over an indexing material;
FIG. 23 is a view of sheet having a pair of alignment tools
positioned thereon and having indicia on each identifying specific
index tab alignment positions;
FIG. 24 is a view of the sheet of FIG. 23 showing a pair of
alignment tools and indicia generally placed on both the tools and
the sheet itself;
FIG. 25 is a view of sheet having a pair of alignment tools
positioned thereon, with one tool being removed from the sheet
along a line of separation;
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a package including a set of index
tabs positioned on a sheet, a set of indexing documents, a sheet
having a plurality of alignment tools thereon, a compact disc, and
accompanying documentation;
FIG. 27 a perspective view of a package including a set of loose
index tabs, a set of indexing documents, a sheet having a plurality
of alignment tools thereon, a compact disc, and accompanying
documentation;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first exemplary
index tab embodiment;
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the first exemplary
index tab embodiment of the present invention aligned with and
attached to an edge of a mounting sheet;
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a second exemplary
index tab embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the second exemplary
index tab embodiment of the present invention aligned with and
attached to an edge of a mounting sheet;
FIG. 32 illustrates a full sheet of multiple tabs according to the
present invention, the sheet being capable of passing through a
printing machine for printing thereon;
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary tab
area of the full sheet illustrated in FIG. 32;
FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exemplary tab
area of FIG. 33 having a releasable backing applied thereto;
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary
layered tab area;
FIG. 36 illustrates use of the alternative exemplary layered tab
area illustrated in FIG. 35;
FIG. 37 illustrates use of the alternative exemplary layered tab
area illustrated in FIG. 35;
FIG. 38 illustrates another alternative exemplary layered tab
area;
FIG. 39 illustrates use of the alternative exemplary layered tab
area illustrated in FIG. 38; and
FIG. 40 illustrates an alternative construction of the alternative
exemplary layered tab area illustrated in FIG. 38.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the following description of the present invention reference is
made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in
which is shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments
illustrating the principles of the present invention and how it may
be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized to practice the present invention and structural and
functional changes may be made thereto without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indexing material 10. The
indexing material 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is a set of dividers. Each
divider 12 in the set of dividers includes at least one index tab
14 positioned thereon. Additionally, each divider 12 in the set of
dividers includes a removably attachable alignment tool 16 attached
near an edge 20 of the divider 12 on which it is placed. Each
releasably attachable alignment tool 16 includes a plurality of
indicia 18 for guiding the placement of the index tab 14 on each
divider 12. FIG. 1 shows the releasably attachable alignment tool
16 entirely attached to a divider 12. The releasably attachable
alignment tool 16 is positioned at a point on the divider 12 that
is near an edge 20 of the divider 12 to provide a gap between the
end of the releasably attachable alignment tool 16 and the edge 20
to allow for the placement of an index tab 14. FIG. 2 is an
overhead view of a set of dividers. The first divider 12 includes
an index tab 14 and a releasably attachable alignment tool 16. In
FIG. 2, the releasably attachable alignment tool is shown partially
peeled off of the divider 12.
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a releasably attachable alignment tool
16 having a plurality of indicia 18 printed thereon, such as with
the tool of FIG. 1. The indicia 18 may include a plurality of
vertical lines 22, a plurality of horizontal lines 24 and a
plurality of numerals 26. The vertical lines 22, horizontal lines
24, and numerals 26 are printed or otherwise provided on the
releasably attachable alignment tool 16 to guide the placement of a
desired number of index tabs 14 on the indexing material 10. The
numerals 26 correspond to the number of index tabs 14 to be used.
For example, if a user wishes to place twelve index tabs, one on
each of twelve dividers, the user would first place a first index
tab 14 on a first divider 12 aligned with a top of the divider.
Then, at the first instance of the numeral twelve and its
corresponding horizontal line, the user would align the top of a
second index tab on a second divider 12. At the third divider 12,
the user would align the top of an index tab 14 at the second
instance of the numeral twelve and its corresponding horizontal
line on that particular divider 12, and so forth continuing with
the next successive instance of the numeral twelve until reaching
the bottom of the releasably attachable alignment tool 16 on the
last divider.
The same method of application occurs regardless of the desired
number of index tabs the user of the present invention wishes to
utilize. Therefore, if the user wishes to utilize eight index tabs,
the first index tab 14 is aligned along a top of the first divider
12. At the next divider 12, the user aligns the next index tab 14
at the first instance of the numeral eight and its corresponding
horizontal line. Following that, at the third divider 12, the user
would locate the next instance of the numeral eight and its
corresponding horizontal line and align an index tab 14 along that
horizontal line along that divider 12, and so on for the rest of
the dividers 12 in that particular set.
The indicia 18 may be positioned on the tool 16 depending upon many
factors, such as the length of the indexing material, the length of
the index tab, and the number of index tabs to be placed on the
indexing material. For example, positioning of indicia may be
calculated by subtracting a length of the index tab base, a length
between the first tab and the top edge of an indexing material, and
a length between the last tab and the bottom edge of an indexing
material from a length of the indexing material to be used. This
figure is then divided by the number of index tabs to be used less
one. The resulting figure equals the uniform spacing of indicia on
the tool 16. Therefore, the tool 16 can be designed specifically
for a particular indexing material size and index tab size. In
another embodiment, a tool 16 may include multiple sets of indicia
for different sizes of indexing material and index tabs.
The indicia 18 on the releasably attachable alignment tool 16 may
be color-coded to further guide the application of a desired number
of index tabs 14 on indexing material 10. For example, each
instance of the numeral "12" and its corresponding horizontal line
may be one particular color, while each instance of the numeral
"10" and its corresponding horizontal line may be an additional
color. Likewise, each numeral and its corresponding horizontal line
may be a different color to guide the placement of index tabs
according to that particular numeral. In another embodiment,
different sections of the releasably attachable alignment tool 16
may be color-coded to provide an easier way of guiding the
placement of index tabs on the alignment tool 16. For example, the
area of the alignment tool 16 including and underneath the numeral
twelve and its corresponding horizontal line may be coded one
particular color, while the area under numeral eleven and its
corresponding horizontal line may be color-coded a different color,
and so forth for each different numeral and its corresponding
horizontal line.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retail package 28 having a set of
dividers and a set of index tabs 14. Each divider in the set of
dividers includes one releasably attachable alignment tool 16
releasably attached thereto. In one embodiment, the package 28
includes a specific number of dividers 12 and a specific number of
corresponding index tabs 14. A customer purchasing the package 28
would remove the set of indexing material 10 including the dividers
12 from a bag 29 and align the set of index tabs 14 on the dividers
12 according to his or her preference and guided by the releasably
attachable alignment tool 16 already positioned on each divider 12.
When finished placing the set of index tabs 14 on the dividers 12,
the user has the option of removing the releasably attachable
alignment tool 16 from each divider 12, such as by peeling it off
as illustrated in FIG. 2. The package 28 may also include a device
34 having software for printing customized indicia on the divider
12 and also on the tool 16. The device 34 may be a CD-ROM, a floppy
diskette, or other type of storage device capable of having
software stored thereon.
In one embodiment, the present invention also provides for
releasably attachable alignment tools, index tabs, and indexing
document such as dividers to be packaged and sold separately. For
example, if additional index tabs are needed, they can be obtained
as a separately packaged item for use with a releasably attachable
alignment tool 16. Similarly, if additional tools are needed, they
can be obtained as a separately packaged item. Additional indexing
material, such as index tabs and dividers for use with the
releasably attachable alignment tool 16, can also be packaged
separately and obtained as needed.
The software for printing customized indicia may provide several
different options for a user wishing to print indicia. The software
may guide a user through the process of inputting variables in the
indicia spacing formula and print the resulting indicia on a tool
16, an indexing material such as a divider 12, or any other paper
or material that can be used to align index tabs to an indexing
material. For example, a user may print desired indicia on a strip
of paper and then re-use the strip for multiple pages of indexing
material. In this example, the strip of paper may be mounted on a
mounting material and then applied to indexing material without
having to repeatedly attach and then release the strip to the
indexing material itself. In another example, a user may print
desired indicia on a standard sheet of 8.5".times.11.0" paper
having multiple tools 16 placed thereon, with each tool having
printed indicia as directed by a user. In yet another example, the
user may print a tool with indicia on a standard sheet of
8.5".times.11.0" or other commonly-used size of paper. The sheet
may be blank, pre-printed with the outline of a tool or tools, or
pre-scored with weakened lines outlining a tool or tools that are
intended to be removed by a user along those weakened lines. A user
may also have multiple tools of varying sizes printed on the same
sheet with the software described above.
The software for designing and printing the indicia 18 may also be
downloadable and/or accessible from the Internet as an alternative
to being included on a device 34 within package 28. Therefore, a
user may purchase the indexing material, index tabs and tool(s) 16
and then utilize the software from the Internet to design his or
her own customized indicia for printing on the tool(s).
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a printer or copier 36 and a
releasably attachable alignment tool 16 having indicia 18 printed
by the printer. The printer 36 may also print the indicia 18
directly on an indexing material, or, alternatively, on several
releasably attachable alignment tools 16 positioned on an indexing
material. The indexing material in this example may be a standard
8.5 inch by eleven inch sheet or other dimensions as would be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
The printer or copier 36 may also be used to print any kind of
indicia or objects on indexing material or on a releasably
attachable alignment tool. For example, if a customer wishes to
place corporate indicia or logos on a divider, he or she may use
the printer or copier 36 to print on the divider prior to the
placement of index tabs on the divider using the releasably
attachable alignment tool 16.
Each releasably attachable alignment tool 16 has an adhesive
substance 17 applied to one side thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the adhesive substance 17 is a CleanTac I
ultra-removable adhesive. However, other types of adhesives may be
used. Also in a preferred embodiment, the adhesive coat weight is
1.0 to 1.2 lbs./ream. The paper used for manufacturing the
releasably attachable alignment tool 16 is, in a preferred
embodiment, CAN N/S (known by the trade name Canary Note Sticks)
Georgia Pacific bond (twenty lbs.), and is an uncoated, canary
yellow material. However, other types of bond and other colors may
suitably be used to manufacture the releasably attachable alignment
tool without departing from the essence of the invention. Also in a
preferred embodiment, the caliper of the paper used to manufacture
the releasably attachable alignment tool is between 3.6 and 3.9
mils. The width of the adhesive strip applied to a side of the
releasably attachable alignment tool is approximately 1/2 inch,
with a variance of 1/32 inch. The width of the entire releasably
attachable alignment tool 16 is 17/16 inch, with a variance of 1/32
inch. There is an ungummed portion along each edge of the
releasably attachable alignment tool 16 with the gummed, adhesive
strip in the middle of the two ungummed portions. On one side of
the adhesive strip, an ungummed portion is 7/8 inch wide, and on
the opposing side of the adhesive strip, there is 1/16 inch wide
ungummed portion. The peel strength of the adhesive strip when
peeled from paper of a similar construction is approximately 20-79
g/in as measured by the Tag and Label Manufacturer's Institute
90.degree. peel test at a peel rate of twelve in./minute. The
adhesive and paper used in the production of the releasably
attachable alignment tool are supplied by Moore Business Forms,
located at 1200 Lakeside Drive, Bannockburn, Ill., 60015.
The tool 16 has approximately a slightly shorter length than the
indexing document to which it is to be applied. The length of the
tool 16 may also vary depending on the type of index tab used. For
example, where the indexing document is a divider that is eleven
inches long and where two inch index tabs are being used, the
length of the tool 16 may be nine inches. In another example, where
indexing document is a divider that is eleven inches long and where
one inch index tabs are being used, the length of the tool 16 may
be ten inches. Because indexing documents may have different
lengths, such as the difference between standard 81/2 inch by
eleven inch sheets and European A4 size sheets, the length of the
tool 16 that is releasably attached thereto may vary depending on
these different lengths. The length of the tool may also be the
same as the length of the indexing document to which it is
applied.
The present invention provides that, in one embodiment, the
dividers 12 will come pre-packaged with a releasably attachable
alignment tool 16 already affixed thereto as shown in FIG. 4.
However, in another embodiment, the package may be sold with a set
of releasably attachable alignment tools included separately within
the same package 28 such as that shown in FIG. 5. A user could
therefore apply each releasably attachable alignment tool to a
divider 12 as he or she sees fit. Each releasably attachable
alignment tool 16 is also reusable such that when removed from a
divider 12 it can be affixed to another indexing material for
reuse. In the embodiment where the releasably attachable alignment
tools are included as separate items not already releasably
attached to the dividers 12, each alignment tool 16 includes a
backing material that must be separated (e.g., peeled off) from the
adhesive substance on a side of the tool before the tool 16 can be
applied to a divider 12.
In still another embodiment, the package may be sold with a pack of
releasably attachable alignment tools 16 stacked on top of each
other. In this embodiment, each tool includes an adhesive portion
for releasably attaching to an indexing material when removed from
the pack of tools. In yet another embodiment, the package may be
sold with one releasably attachable alignment tool 16 provided
separately from the indexing material. In this embodiment, the tool
16 is pre-mounted on a mounting material that is transferable to
multiple dividers or other indexing material. The mounting material
is therefore releasably attachable to the indexing material onto
which it is placed.
FIG. 5 shows an additional embodiment in which a package 28
includes only a set of releasably attachable alignment tools 16.
Each of the tools 16 in this embodiment include a backing material
30 attached to a back side of the tool 16. The backing material 30
protects the adhesive substance on the back side of the tool 16.
FIG. 6 shows the application of a tool 16 having a backing material
30. Prior to application of the tool 16 to an indexing document,
the backing material 30 is removed from the back side of the tool
16 to expose the adhesive substance. The tool 16 is then applied to
the indexing document, which in FIG. 6 is a divider 12. Also in
FIG. 6, an index tab 14 is also applicable to the divider 12.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show additional embodiments of the present invention
in which the tool 16 is applied to an index card 32. In FIG. 7, the
tool 16 is the same size as that applied to a divider 12. In this
embodiment, the ends of the tool 16 are folded over the index card
32 to fit the tool 16 on the card. In FIG. 8, the tool 16 is sized
to fit the length of an index card 32. The tool 16 may therefore be
customized to fit the particular indexing document to which it will
be applied, such that different sizes of the tool 16 may be
available to fit different types of indexing material.
FIG. 9 is a view of an indexing material in which a divider 12
includes indicia 18 printed directly thereon. The indicia 18 are
printed on a back side 38 of the divider 12, close to a series of
holes in the divider 12 that allow for the divider 12 to be placed
in a binder. FIG. 10 shows the divider 12 being rolled over such
that the back side 38 with the indicia 18 printed thereon is even
with the edge 20 on a front side 40 to which index tabs will be
placed. The indicia 18 on the back side are therefore used to align
the index tabs 14 on the indexing material. The indicia 18 on the
divider 12 may be preprinted or, in an alternate embodiment,
printed by a user in the printer 36 as desired.
FIG. 12 is a view of a sheet 42 having a plurality of alignment
tools 16 positioned thereon. The plurality of alignment tools 16
may be printed in the printer (or copier) 36 by a user using
software provided in the device or downloaded from the Internet.
The plurality of alignment tools 16 may be all of the same size as
shown in FIG. 12, or they may be of varying sizes as shown in FIG.
15. FIG. 14 is a view of the sheet 42 having a plurality of
alignment tools 16 positioned thereon, with one tool being removed
from the sheet 42. In this embodiment, all of the tools 16 may be
removable from the sheet 42. The tools 16 and indicia 18 may be
either pre-printed or printed by the user within pre-scored or
weakened lines 44 such that the tools 16 are easily removable by
the user, or on blank releasably attachable alignment tools.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a printer (or copier) 36 having
the sheet 42 with a plurality of releasably attachable alignment
tools 16 exiting the printer or copier 36 with the indicia 18
printed on the tools. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the printer
(or copier) 36 having the sheet 42 with a plurality of releasably
attachable alignment tools 16 of varying size exiting the printer
(or copier) 36 with the indicia 18 printed on the tools 16. In both
FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, the tools 16 may be removable by the user
either by peeling the tool from the sheet 42 or by removing the
tools 16 from a series of pre-scored or weakened lines 44.
FIG. 17 is a view of an indexing material and a releasably
attachable alignment tool 16 having a top portion 46 folded over a
top edge 48 of the indexing material. The top portion 46 of the
tool 16 may be formed along a weakened line 50 at the top of the
tool 16. The weakened line 50 and top portion 46 are shown in FIG.
18. FIG. 19 is a view of a flapped device 52 having an alignment
tool 16 positioned thereon and indexing material being inserted
into the flapped device 52. In one embodiment, the alignment tool
16 is releasably attached to the front face 54 of the flapped
device 52 using an adhesive substance on the back of the tool 16.
In another embodiment, the alignment tool 16 and indicia 18 are
printed directly on the front face 54 of the flapped device 54. In
yet another embodiment, the alignment tool 16 includes the top
portion 46 for positioning over a top edge of the flapped device 52
to releasably attach the alignment tool 16 to the flapped device
52. This is similar to using the embodiments of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18
without a flapped device.
FIG. 20 is a view of the flapped device 52 having an alignment tool
16 positioned thereon. The flapped device 52 has a rear portion 56
for placing over the top of an indexing material 10. The alignment
tool 16, positioned on the front face 54 of the flapped device 52
in any of the embodiments described in the preceding paragraph, is
used to align the placement of index tabs 14 on the indexing
material 10 placed within the flapped device 52 under the rear
portion 56. The indexing material 10 is removable and the flapped
device 52 can be reused to align the placement of index tabs 14 on
multiple sheets of indexing material 10.
In another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a view
of a printer (or copier) 36 having a sheet 42 exiting the printer
(or copier) 36 with indicia 18 printed on the sheet 42. The sheet
42 of FIG. 21 is used to place over an indexing material 10. This
is shown in FIG. 22. The sheet 42 with the indicia 18 printed
thereon is also used to align the placement of index tabs 14 on the
indexing material 10. The sheet 42 of this embodiment can be reused
with multiple indexing material 10 to align the placement of index
tabs 14 on the indexing material 10.
In another embodiment of the present invention, alignment tools are
positioned on a sheet for removal from the sheet along separation
lines to be releasably attachable to indexing documents. FIG. 23 is
a view of a sheet 70 having a pair of alignment tools 72 positioned
thereon and having indicia 74 on each identifying specific index
tab alignment positions. In this embodiment, the alignment tools 72
are pre-positioned on the sheet 70 having separation lines 76
guiding the removal of the tools 72 from the sheet 70. The tools 72
can be cut from the sheet 70 using scissors 94, knives, or other
similar cutting devices. FIG. 25 is a view of the sheet 70 having
the pair of alignment tools 72 positioned thereon, with one tool
being removed from the sheet along a line of separation 76. The
tools 72 can also separated by tearing along the separation lines
76. In this embodiment, the separation lines 76 may be in the form
of pre-scored lines of weakness to allow easy separation from the
sheet.
The alignment tools 72 of this embodiment include indicia
identifying multiple index tab alignment positions. The indicia on
each tool may be different to accommodate placement of the tool on
different sizes of indexing material. For example, one of the tools
on the sheet may be for alignment and placing index tabs on sheets
of 11 inches in length. Another tool on the sheet may be for use on
sheets of 8.5 inches in length. Each sheet 70 having alignment
tools 72 may also include separate indicia 75 conveying
instructions for using the tools. FIG. 24 is a view of the sheet 70
of FIG. 23 showing a pair of alignment tools 72 and indicia
generally placed on both the tools and the sheet itself. Each of
the alignment tools may also include a section 78 to be folded over
the edge of an indexing document. Indicia 80 on each tool
identifying the section to be folded may also be included on the
tools. Using this fold-over aspect, an alignment tool 72 is easily
attachable to and removable from an indexing document to guide the
placement of index tabs.
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a package 82 including a set of
index tabs 84 positioned on a sheet 86, a set of indexing documents
88, a sheet 70 having a plurality of alignment tools 72 thereon, a
compact disc 96, and accompanying documentation 90. In this
embodiment, a sheet 70 having alignment tools for different sizes
of indexing material is included in a package 82 having index tabs
84 positioned on a backing sheet 86. The alignment tools 72 are
removable from the sheet 70 and releasably attachable to indexing
material, which may also be provided in the same package, for
aligning and placing the index tabs. FIG. 27 a perspective view of
a package 82 including a set of loose index tabs 92, a set of
indexing documents 88, a sheet 70 having a plurality of alignment
tools 72 thereon, a compact disc 96, and accompanying documentation
90. In this embodiment, the index tabs 92 are loosely contained in
the package 82 having the plurality of alignment tools 72
positioned on the sheet 70. The tools 72 are removable from the
sheet 70 and releasably attachable to indexing material to align
and place the loose index tabs 92 on the indexing material 88.
The present invention contemplates that any type of index tab
commonly known in the art can be used with the releasably
attachable alignment tool 16 of the present invention. In a
preferred embodiment, an index tab has an aligning portion
connected to a tab portion for aligning the tab accurately, and
easily, with an edge of an indexing material. The aligning portion
engages the edge of the indexing material for alignment, yet
requires no user control over other various parts of the index tab.
In one embodiment, the aligning portion is operatively connected to
both sides of the index tab, such that the user does not have to
separate two sides of the index tab. The two sides are separated by
the width of the aligning portion, and are both attached to the
aligning portion such that the user need not make any adjustments
during application of the index tab to ensure that the aligning
portion actually engages the edge of the indexing material. The
aligning portion also includes an adhesive portion for engaging the
indexing material. The index tab of the present invention is
designed for easy positioning along the indexing material by either
covering the adhesive until the tab is positioned, or by selective
placement of the adhesive so that the tab can be freely positioned
or slid along the card or divider edge even with the adhesive
exposed.
The index tab may comprise a single tab material layer having a tab
portion and a tab extension. The tab material layer may be
constructed of any suitable tab material, such as card stock or
various plastic materials. The tab extension has a layer of
adhesive applied thereto. The adhesive may be any appropriate
adhesive such as, for example, glue, permanent tacky adhesive, or
heat fusing. The adhesive layer has a pocket attached to it. The
pocket comprises a pocket extension, a top edge stopper, and a
pocket hinge. These three portions of the pocket are preferably
formed by folding a single piece of material over itself. The
internal surface of the pocket extension has a layer of adhesive
disposed thereon. The adhesive layer is disposed such that a small
gap remains between the top edge of the adhesive layer and the
inside top edge of the stopper. The gap may be included in all
embodiments of the present invention and may be, for example, 1/16
inch to 1/8 inch from the inside top edge of the stopper. The gap,
in this embodiment and others, allows the tab construction to slide
along a mounting sheet edge without being hindered by adhesive.
Likewise, the internal surface of the pocket hinge may have a layer
of adhesive applied along its lower edge portion. This leaves a gap
between the top edge of the adhesive layer and the inside top edge
of stopper, allowing the tab construction to slide freely along an
indexing material edge. These two layers of adhesive will secure
the tab to indexing material when it is attached. A releasable
backing is applied to the adhesive layer to preserve the adhesive
and prevent layers from adhering to each other prior to attachment
of the tab to an indexing material. The releasable backing may be
applied and folded over such that it also contacts and protects the
adhesive layer. Thus, an index tab of the present invention has an
integral stopper or pocket for engaging the edge of an indexing
material such that alignment is easy and requires little user
control over the position and movement of various parts of the
index tab during the application process.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary index tab 101
constructed according to the present invention. The exemplary tab
comprises a single tab material layer 100 having a tab portion 102
and a tab extension 104. Tab material layer 100 may be constructed
of any suitable tab material, such as card stock or various plastic
materials. Tab extension 104 has a layer of adhesive 106 applied
thereto. The adhesive may be any appropriate adhesive such as, for
example, glue, permanent tacky adhesive, or heat fusing. Adhesive
layer 106 has a pocket 108 attached to it. Pocket 108 comprises a
pocket extension 110, a top edge stopper 112, and a pocket hinge
114. These three portions of pocket 108 are preferably formed by
folding a single piece of material over itself. The internal
surface of pocket extension 110 has a layer of adhesive 116
disposed thereon. Adhesive layer 116 is disposed such that a small
gap 117 remains between the top edge of adhesive layer 116 and the
inside top edge of stopper 112. Gap 117 may be included in all
embodiments of the present invention and may be, for example, 1/16"
to 1/8" from the inside top edge of stopper 112. Gap 117, in this
embodiment and others, allows the tab construction 100 to slide
along a mounting sheet edge without being hindered by adhesive.
Likewise, the internal surface of pocket hinge 114 may have a layer
of adhesive 118 applied along its lower edge portion. This leaves a
gap 119 between the top edge of adhesive layer 118 and the inside
top edge of stopper 112, allowing the tab construction 100 to slide
freely along a mounting sheet edge. These two layers of adhesive
will secure the tab to a mounting sheet when it is attached. A
releasable backing 120 is applied to adhesive layer 116 to preserve
the adhesive and prevent layers 116 and 118 from adhering to each
other prior to attachment of the tab to a mounting sheet.
Releasable backing 120 may be applied to layer 116 and folded over
such that it also contacts and protects adhesive layer 118. Thus,
an index tab of this invention has an integral stopper or pocket
for engaging the edge of a mounting sheet such that alignment is
easy and requires little user control over the position and
movement of various parts of the index tab during the application
process.
The index tab construction described above can be easily aligned
with and attached to an edge of a mounting sheet, such as a binder
divider sheet, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
29. Stopper 112 engages a top edge of divider sheet 200, indicated
at 202. After releasable backing 120 is removed, mounting sheet 200
is secured to the tab between adhesive layers 116 and, optionally,
118.
An alternative second embodiment 301 of the present invention is
illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 30. The tab
comprises a tab portion 300, a tab extension 302 and a tab hinge
304. Tab extension 302 and tab hinge 304 are separated from tab
portion 300 by a stopper 306. Stopper 306, in the exemplary
embodiment, comprises a heat fuse which joins the two sides of tab
portion 300. An internal surface of tab extension 302 is coated
with an adhesive layer 308, which is then covered by a releasable
backing 310. Another feature of the present invention is that
releasable backing 310 may be folded at area 312, to form an easily
grippable tab 314 that is useful for exposing adhesive layer 308
during application of the tab construction to a mounting sheet.
Easily grippable tab 314, in all embodiments, facilitates removal
of releasable backing 310. An additional feature that can be
incorporated into the second exemplary embodiment is a second layer
of adhesive on the inside surface of hinge 304. This second layer
of adhesive would cause the attachment of the tab construction to a
mounting sheet to be strengthened. Prior to mounting, the second
layer of adhesive would be contacted and protected by releasable
backing 310.
The second exemplary embodiment 301 of the present invention as it
is applied to a mounting sheet 400 is depicted in FIG. 31. Lower
edge 402 of heat fuse 306 is aligned with upper edge of mounting
sheet 400 prior to application. Then, releasable backing 310 is
pulled downward, as indicated at arrow 404, to expose adhesive
layer 308. Tab extension 302 and hinge 304 are then pressed
together to engage adhesive layer 308 with divider sheet 400,
securing the tab in place.
Some of the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
can be practiced such that multiple tabs are constructed within a
single sheet 1600, as indicated in FIG. 32. This sheet 1600 can be
passed through a printer as indicated by arrow 1602 such that the
tab areas 1604 can have indicia printed thereon. To describe the
construction of such a sheet, the construction of a single tab area
therein is illustrated in FIG. 33. The tab area comprises a first
layer of tab material 1700 suitable for being passed through a
printer, such as thin polyester or flexible card stock. An adhesive
layer 1702 is then applied to a lower portion of tab material layer
1700. A pocket material layer 1704 is applied to and extends beyond
adhesive layer 1702. A pocket pre-fold 1706 is formed along the
upper edge of adhesive layer 1708. Pocket pre-fold 1706 may be, for
example, a score line. Another layer of adhesive 1708 is then
applied to the portion of pocket material layer 1704, below pocket
pre-fold 1706. A region 1707 having no adhesive remains below
pocket pre-fold 1706. Adhesive-free regions 1707 may be, for
example, between 1/16" and 1/8", as measured between top edge of
adhesive layer 1708 and pocket pre-fold 1706. Similarly,
adhesive-free region 1709 may be, for example, between 1/16" and
1/8", as measured from top edge of adhesive layer 1702 to pocket
pre-fold 1706. Alternatively, adhesive layer 1702 may extend
substantially to pocket pre-fold 1706, resulting in no
adhesive-free region 1709. An additional strip of adhesive 1710 is
applied to the upper edge of pocket material layer 1704, above
pocket pre-fold 1706. Again, adhesive 1710 is applied such that a
region 1712, having no adhesive thereon, is located above pocket
pre-fold 1706.
Finally, as indicated in FIG. 34, a releasable backing sheet 1800
is applied to the entire tab area construction, being adhered to
adhesive layer 1708 and adhesive strip 1710. This releasable
backing sheet 1800 thereby becomes tab-bearing sheet 1600. The
thickness 1802 of the sheet and tab areas must be sufficiently
small that the sheet can pass through printers within their
standard clearances without jamming. For example, an ideal
thickness would be less than 15.0 mils. or, more preferably, less
than 9.0 mils. In any case, the preferred thickness could be
determined according to standard machining techniques and printing
machine tolerances. Thickness 1802 is measured as the summation of
the individual thicknesses of the various layers, and can be
minimized through optimization of these layers. In addition, the
tab-bearing sheet assembly must be further optimized to ensure that
the adhesive and releasable backing bond strength is sufficient to
keep the tabs adhered to the backing sheet as the entire sheet is
passed through the printer, but weak enough that the tabs can be
removed easily by a user, after printing. Also, the sheet must be
flexible such that the tab-bearing sheet can be passed through the
printer rollers without becoming jammed therein.
Although the design objectives of the tab-bearing sheet will be the
same, other designs for the sheet are anticipated to be within the
scope of the present invention. For example, FIG. 35 illustrates a
pocket assembly comprising a folded over pocket layer 1900 having
an adhesive layer 1902 and releasable backing layer 1904
therebetween and sandwiched between tab material layer 1906 and
releasable backing sheet 1908. Adhesive layers 1910 and 1912 bind
the pocket assembly between tab material layer 1906 and releasable
backing sheet 1908. Each of these tabs can be removed from the
tab-bearing sheet and aligned with and applied to a mounting sheet
as previously described herein. It should be noted that in all
index tab-bearing sheet embodiments described herein, manufacturing
steps may occur in any order. That is, the layers of such a sheet,
as described herein, are not necessarily the order in which the
sheet must be constructed. Steps for constructing the index
tab-bearing sheets may occur in any order.
FIGS. 36 and 37 illustrate how a tab 2000 from a tab-bearing sheet,
tab 2000 constructed as in FIG. 35, would be utilized. A mounting
sheet 2002 is inserted between releasable backing 1904 and outer
side 2004 of pocket 1900, shown in FIG. 36. Releasable backing 1904
is then removed, and adhesive layer 1902 contacts mounting sheet
2002, securing the tab construction thereto. Referring to FIG. 37,
once the tab construction is aligned with and secured to mounting
sheet 2002, outer pocket side 2004 is folded upward, such that
adhesive layer 1912 binds to adhesive layer 1910. This completes
the tab assembly after it is mounted upon and aligned with mounting
sheet 2002.
Another exemplary embodiment is shown at 2200 in FIG. 38, which
illustrates an exemplary tab area 2200 contained in a tab-bearing
sheet. A first layer of tab material 2202 has a first layer of
adhesive 2204 applied thereon. A pocket assembly is then formed by
providing a second layer of tab material 2206 and applying a second
layer of adhesive 2208 thereon. The pocket is formed by creating
fold 2210. Backing sheet 2212 is then applied, such that it
contacts adhesive layers 2204 and 2208.
Once removed from backing sheet 2212, the tab construction above is
used as illustrated in FIG. 39. Mounting sheet 2300 is adhered to
adhesive layer 2204. The outer portion of the pocket is then folded
downward, as indicated at fold line 2210 and arrow 2302. Adhesive
layer 2208 will contact mounting sheet 2300, causing the tab
assembly to be completely secured to the mounting sheet 2300.
As an alternative embodiment to the tab area described above and
illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, adhesive layers 2208 and 2204 may
comprise three separate adhesive layers. This alternative
construction is illustrated in FIG. 40, which illustrates the tab
assembly as generally shown in the region of fold line 2210.
Specifically, a first adhesive layer 2400 may be disposed between
the upper portion of tab material layer 2202 and the inner portion
of pocket material layer 2206. A second adhesive layer 2404 is
applied to the lower portion of tab material layer 2202. Finally, a
third adhesive layer 2402 is applied to the inner portion of pocket
material layer 2206. As indicated at region 2406, the three layers
of adhesive are non-continuous. This serves both to facilitate the
bending which occurs at fold line 2210 and to align the tab
construction with mounting sheet 2300.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. For example, various
arrangements and types of layers may be used to form the stopper or
pocket of the present invention. Also, the present invention is not
limited to use with paper or plastic tabs, as presented in the
exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention may be utilized with
any of a number of different suitable materials. Moreover,
different parts of the present invention may be practiced with the
use of different materials. For example, a tab according to the
present invention may be constructed to have a tab portion
comprising a first material and a pocket or stopper comprising a
second, different material. Also, the folding of the releasable
backing strip to form an easily grippable tab can be applied to all
embodiments having a releasable backing strip.
It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural and functional changes may be made without departing
from the scope of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions
of embodiments of the invention have been presented for the
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. For example, a set of
releasably attachable alignment tools may include specific indicia
printed thereon for a specific number of index tabs. That is, if a
set of releasably attachable alignment tools is provided with eight
index tabs, the tool may be printed with indicia for directing the
placement of eight index tabs instead of a high number of index
tabs. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention not
be limited by this detailed description.
* * * * *